The early entry list for the Chili Bowl Nationals has come out, and there is, for now, a lack of NASCAR talent on it. Last Chili Bowl, we were treated to a great battle between Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell. Will we see the Cup Series superstars again?
The first set of entries has been filed and submitted. There are already tons of racers signing up for the Chili Bowl. NASCAR fans are wondering who they will get to see trade in a stock car for a sprint car.
Of note, Alex Bowman is fielding multiple cars once again. However, he will not be racing. Bowman suffered an injury racing in a sprint car back in 2023. NASCAR fans are hoping to see Larson, Bell, Ty Gibbs, Kyle Busch, Jesse Love, Brent Crews, and some others enter the Chili Bowl.
FloRacing is carrying coverage of the Chili Bowl Nationals once again in 2026. We have a lot of time between now and when entries close for the event. On top of no NASCAR drivers entered at the moment, there is not a single former champion signed up at the moment either. So, it shows that there is a long way to go, and there will be plenty of entries added in the next two months.
For Kyle Larson, he might be better off entering than not. This year, he claimed the Chili Bowl title and the Cup Series championship in the same year. It is the second time that he has won both in the same season, and he remains the only driver to ever accomplish that feat. And he's done it twice! 2021 and 2025 were bookended with a Chili Bowl and Cup Series win. Speaking of, how much chili can fit in the Bill France Cup?
With how much Kyle Larson races, it is hard to tell when his season begins and ends. But the Chili Bowl is a pretty good demarcator. Starting the year in Tulsa with a Chili Bowl run is a great way for Larson to start his season, and 2025 got off to a great start.
We saw Larson and Bell compete in the Tulsa Shootout and Chili Bowl. It pitted these two drivers against each other multiple times and was a great way to start the 2025 season. With that start, it is no surprise that Larson and Bell won multiple races in the Cup Series this season. It all began in Tulsa on the dirt.
The 2025 season was a long one for Larson. But when you look at what he did between January and November of this year, it's hard to put it into context. It could frankly be one of the best seasons a driver has had in motorsports. Truthfully, it is still probably just short of that 2021 season, where he was winning practically every event he entered.
Knowing that his two Cup Series championships have coincided with his Chili Bowl wins, does Kyle Larson HAVE to sign up? If I were him, I'd make sure my January plans are solidified and ready to go.